ETERNAL AND EVER-PRESENT WORD OF GOD

 

SAINTS BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS, DOCTORS

1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28

One Who Existed Before Me

The Evangelist, in his adept manner, brings John the Baptist to bear witness for Jesus Christ in the Gospel passage. The purpose is to help us grasp, to an extent, the mystery of the One who existed from the beginning. Because the Word has eternal existence, we all experience him in one way or another, only that we do not know him objectively. Since the Baptist was anointed for that purpose, to reveal him to the people of Israel when he appears visibly to human eyes, he is the best person to witness to his presence among us. He makes the Baptist certify the veracity of his testimony by rejecting the lofty ideas people had about him and his ministry in the wilderness. The pre-Messianic era was marked by the expectation of the return of Elijah the Prophet, the Prophet like Moses who would save the people, etc. These expectations informed the questions that those sent by the Jews in Jerusalem asked him. John denied being Christ, and these other figures they were expecting. “I am not Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ John gave a humble understanding of his identity and mission in view of the One coming behind him. He is ‘a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’

A humble self-understanding is a prerequisite for our reception of the Eternal Word, who existed before us. Because he existed before us, he stands among us as the light of being. Ignorance of his ever-enduring presence makes us wander away into the darkness of error. Thus, the Baptist replied to them, saying: “I baptise with water; but there stands among you—unknown to you—the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.” We see clearly through the light of the Word among us when we understand that we are unworthy of his presence. The perpetual presence of the Word already enlightens every man who comes to existence through the rational light we receive from God. The rational light in us reveals our unworthiness before the holiness of God’s Word. Thus, the acknowledgement of the inner testimony of our conscience, by accusing us of sin, prepares us for the coming of Christ. The rejection of the inner testimony blinds us to our need for Christ and, subsequently, the need we have for his presence when he is revealed in the Good News. “The man who denies that Jesus is the Christ—he is the liar, he is Antichrist; and he is denying the Father as well as the Son, because no one who has the Father can deny the Son, and to acknowledge the Son is to have the Father as well.”

Every one of us has a relationship to the Word of God that existed from the beginning, for his light shines within our nature. Hence, his coming in human nature is described as coming to his own. If we are true to our nature, we would be true to him who existed from the beginning. As we have stated repeatedly, the Gospel of the Incarnation of the Word of God fits perfectly with our nature and our hunger for God. Our acceptance of the Gospel of his Incarnation makes the anointing present within us as a confirmation of the presence of the Word within us for our salvation and glory. Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen wrote so much about the divinity of Jesus Christ. They are among the Cappadocian Fathers of the Church. Basil was born in 330 at Caesarea in Cappadocia. He was a brilliant scholar and a virtuous man. He started as a hermit, but later became the bishop of Caesarea in 370. He fought against the Arians, who denied Christ’s divinity; he wrote many notable works. Gregory was also born in 330, near Nazianzus. He travelled widely in search of knowledge. He was a great friend of Basil and followed him into the wilderness, and also made a bishop of Constantinople later in 381. He retired to Nazianzus because of factional fighting within the Church. His learning and eloquence earned him the nickname ‘Gregory the Theologian.’ These two doctors of the Church defended the Church’s teaching during the Christological controversies, which were already visible in John’s first letter. May their prayers help us to believe and live an authentic Christian life.

Let us pray: O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church by the example and teaching of the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory, grant, we pray, that in humility we may learn your truth and practise it faithfully in charity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.